March for Life Proves the Next Generation Pro-Life on Abortion

January 22, 2013 was the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court decisions Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, which made abortion legal throughout all 9 months of pregnancy. As we mark the rulings that have killed more than 55 million pre-born babies, it is important for us to show the world that this generation in America is pro-life. The pro-life movement has made great strides over the past few decades. So much so that even the liberal magazine Time has recognized it with their recent cover story, “40 Years Ago, Abortion-rights Activists Won an Epic Victory with Roe v. Wade. They’ve Been Losing Ever Since.”

With all the focus on Roe at 40 by a biased media, it is more important than ever that we get our message out. Social media provides an alternative to ensure our voices are not silenced. Students for Life is taking the lead in providing resources for the pro-life generation to assert itself for the 40th anniversary, the March for Life, and Students for Life of America National Conference.

Every year hundreds of thousands of pro-lifers brave the bitter cold to march on Washington and yet the media either ignores it or downplays its size and significance. This year, we must make our tremendous presence known in a way that breaks through the media blackout. The most important thing you can do is speak and elevate the voices of others through social media for events during March Week. Here’s how:

Before

-Share information about the events on your social networks – let people know about them, why you’re going, and encourage them to participate
-Start following and engaging with pro-life leaders (check out our lists) and hashtags #ProLifeGen, #SFLA2013, #MarchforLife, #Roe40 – meet fellow pro-lifers, begin the conversation, and gain momentum
-Research local and national media to target – prepare lists (here’s one to get you started) so you can monitor what they are talking about and more easily message them during events

During

-Upload live pictures and video to your social media networks using our hashtags – show the world that we are numerous and we are excited
-Retweet, Like, and Share others’ updates – encourage each other and expand our reach, the more interaction posts get, the more visible they will be on feeds
-Message members of the media directly – when we fill up their feed with primary sources, they can’t ignore it
-Check in on Foursquare and Facebook – Let people know where you are and show them how large the crow is, include pictures and tips
-If you can’t make the events in DC, you can still make a difference and amplify our efforts by sharing information, live covering the events, and watching live feeds – March for Life: EWTN; Students for Life Conference: SFLALive.org.

After

-Continue to upload your photos & videos to your social networks
-Use images from the event as your profile pictures
-Write blog posts about your experiences, letters to the editor, comment on online articles about the events
-Keep the conversation going – continue to use the hashtags and interact with the pro-lifers you’ve met